Main Street, Downtown Franklin
Downtown Franklin's 16 block historic district earned a Great American Main Street award in 1995 and still centers on its award-winning Main Street. PumpkinFest fills it for two days each October with more than 30 food and beverage vendors, costume contests, pumpkin carving and a Scarecrow Crawl through the downtown shops. You can park at the 2nd or 4th Avenue garages, or ride the Franklin Transit Shuttle in for $1 each way.
Before you go
- Official site
- downtownfranklintn.com
- Next festival here
- PumpkinFest, Oct 24, 2026
Worth knowing before you go
- There's no street parking inside the festival footprint, so plan for the garages or the shuttle.
- The Franklin Transit Shuttle doesn't allow pets, non-folding strollers, or food and drink besides bottled water.
- Restroom trailers and portable restrooms are spread around the festival footprint.
- A medical and first aid booth staffs Public Square for non-life-threatening needs.
Festivals here
Venue basics: Historic 16 block Main Street district · 30+ food and beverage vendors · Shuttle in for $1 each way.
Is it for you
Choose it if
- You like a historic Main Street setting with a strong food vendor lineup.
- You're happy parking in a garage or taking a cheap shuttle rather than driving right up.
Think twice if
- You were counting on street parking: there's none inside the festival footprint.
Getting there and parking
Festival-specific · PumpkinFestYou can park and ride the Franklin Transit Shuttle into Downtown Franklin for $1 per person each way. Pets, non-folding strollers, and food or drink other than bottled water are not allowed on the shuttle. Parking is also available at the 2nd and 4th Avenue public garages, or through Franklin Transit's Park & Ride service. Downtown parking is otherwise limited, with no street parking inside the festival footprint.
Accessibility
Festival-specific · PumpkinFestHandicap accessible parking is available through the 2nd and 4th Avenue garages.
Confirm your specific needs with the venue before you travel (downtownfranklintn.com).
Camping
We don't yet have confirmed information about camping at Downtown Franklin. The venue's own pages are the place to check: downtownfranklintn.com.
Food, water and what you can bring
Festival-specific · PumpkinFestMore than 30 food and beverage vendors serve the festival, with an enhanced menu of cold snacks and drinks alongside returning favorites. A restroom trailer sits on Public Square next to the Heritage Foundation tents, with portable restrooms on 4th Ave S next to the parking garage, on 3rd Ave N, and at 2nd Ave/Main near Landmark Bank.
Recently at Downtown Franklin
Pumpkinfest: Middle TN's Largest Fall Festival
PumpkinFest
Quick answers
Is there a shuttle to PumpkinFest?
Yes. The Franklin Transit Shuttle runs for $1 per person each way, though pets, non-folding strollers, and food or drink besides bottled water aren't allowed on board.
Where can I park?
The 2nd and 4th Avenue public garages, or Franklin Transit's Park & Ride service. There's no street parking inside the festival footprint.
Is parking handicap accessible?
Yes, through the 2nd and 4th Avenue garages.
How many food vendors are there?
More than 30 food and beverage vendors, with an enhanced menu of cold snacks and drinks.
Are there activities for kids?
Yes, including costume contests, pumpkin carving and a Scarecrow Crawl through the downtown shops for discounts and treats.
Is there anywhere for medical help if needed?
Yes. The Williamson Medical Center EMS & First Aid booth is on Public Square for non-life-threatening needs.
A little history
Since its founding in 1984, the Downtown Franklin Association has led the revitalization of Franklin's historic 16 block downtown core, now an award-winning Main Street with a collection of Victorian buildings. In May 1995, Franklin received one of five 'Great American Main Street' awards from the National Trust for Historic Preservation, in the first year of that annual competition.
PumpkinFest runs on Historic Main Street for two days of autumn-inspired food and drink, live music and costume contests, hosted by the nonprofit Heritage Foundation of Williamson County, which also operates The Franklin Theatre, the Downtown Franklin Association, Franklin Grove Estate & Gardens, and the Moore-Morris History & Culture Center.